Who do you believe is telling the truth ?

There has been a long running debate about the virtues of spray applied coatings when compared to trowel applied or roller applied wall coatings. Much of this is drivel and is propogated by  installation companies on either side of the argument who use products that can only be either sprayed/rollered or trowel applied or who do not have skilled plasterers to use a trowel apply system.  What you might call a  “one eyed opinion ” and definitely not a balanced view.

As Wethertex has an unequalled range of both spray and roller or trowel applied products we are uniquely placed to offer the most impartial view. The truth is  we use both types of wall coating  with  spray/roller applied coatings being generally most suited to decorative repainting jobs  or new build only. They look great but give no discernable gain to a homeowner over a roller or brush applied paint apart from saving the spray applicators money as explained below :

Why Spray Coating Benefits  Installation Companies

1. Very little need for scaffolding , if at all, compared to a hand brushed or trowelled coating

2. Labour costs are far cheaper as no need to use a trained plasterer

3. As skill level is lower than for plastering  costs are a lot lower

4. Sub contract labour is common and so no National Insurance or Employers Liability insurance for the contractor

5. Spraying machines can be rented and if purchased the initial outlay is soon recouped as less paint is used in an automated system than by a hand application

6. Jobs take a lot less time so greater profit margins . Some spray coat companies can cover a 3 bed semi in around 2 days compared to a week by a hand application

7. 90% of spray companies use bought in paint so have no stock holding or manufacturing costs.

8. 90% of wall coating companies word their marketing to make it sound as if it is their material. Misleading at best.

9. Practically all spray coat manufacturers make a brush/roller version as well as spray apply

Are All Sprayed Masonry Coatings Poor Value ?

No, not at all . They are mainly just a quicker way to paint the outside walls than by roller or brush and so price wise should be around the same price as a standard quality masonry paint job using such as Sandtex or Dulux Weathershield that is applied by hand after suitably preparing the wall beforehand.

In fact most of the masonry spray coatings being marketed in the UK are designed to be brush or roller applied with the same results and more worryingly several of the most prominent wall coating websites try to make it appear they have their own wall coating when in fact it is simply bought over the trade counter at one or two of the UK’s largest paint manufacturers at prices well below that at which Sandtex or Dulux sells for.

As long as you realise what you are getting for your money there is nothing wrong at all with a spray coating but do not be mis-led into thinking that these spray coatings are some kind of ultra long lasting masonry coating that gives any discernably greater structural benefits or protection than a tin of  quality masonry paint.

In fact be very careful as to when these spray paints are applied and to which surfaces as they are unsuitable for many surfaces that for instance have a damp problem, need major render repairs or are solid wall or timber frame homes that need to breathe easily.

Most manufacturers of sprayed wall coatings have strict application and preparation guidelines and have to rely on the integrity and skill of the applicators to apply their products onto properly prepared and suitable surfaces.

Essential Questions to Ask Wall Coating Installers

1. Is the product your own with your name on its test certification ?

2. If not whose product is it ?

3. Ask for the test data to see expected life span, most spray coats are 10 years minimum

4. CHECK THE VAPOUR PERMEABILITY as above 20 mngs can cause trapped moisture in some walls

5. Ask if sub-contract labour is being used and if so check they are accredited by the manufacturer not the painting company

6. Do not overpay for what is a glorified masonry paint

7. Be very nervous if the company only has a spray/roller applied product as you may not get the most impartial advice !!!

Finally, before you sign anything check with us for a comparison quote.

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.                  WETHERTEX  - better for the experience